Manager, Program Implementation

Position Overview

About Rare:

Rare is a fast-growing, international conservation organization. We believe conservation comes down to people—their behaviors toward nature, their beliefs about its value, and their ability to protect it without sacrificing basic life needs. Rare’s culture is results-oriented and entrepreneurial.

We are working toward ambitious goals and creating measurable social change. With initiatives such as Fish Forever, Watersheds Protection, Sustainable Agriculture, Innovative Finance, the Meloy Fund, and the Center for Behavior & the Environment, Rare is on a mission to “inspire change so people and nature thrive”.

Our Mozambique team is pursuing the ambitious Fish Forever program which seeks to prove and then promulgate the combination of community-led fisheries management and networks of marine reserves. This program uses behavior-centered design and social marketing to reach coastal communities and shift Mozambique’s nearshore fisheries toward sustainability while preserving the country’s extraordinary marine biodiversity. The Fish Forever program builds on Rare’s significant experience and success in helping communities achieve effective No Take Zone compliance in marine protected areas, seeking to achieve greater community benefits from their investments in fishery and marine biodiversity management by combining this with clear fishing rights. Fish Forever implementation in Mozambique is part of Rare’s global Fish Forever initiative which includes operation of this program in ten countries around the globe.

Background:

Rare is seeking a passionate and experienced leader who will provide overall management and coordination for Rare’s project entitled “Coastal Lifeline – A Provincial Approach To the Empowerment of Fisher-Farmer Communities to Adopt Nature-Based Solutions in Mozambique” that is funded by the Blue Action fund in support of Rare’s Fish Forever program activities. The project geography includes four districts in Nampula province, namely Memba, Nacala Porto, Ilha de Mocambique and Mogincual. The project aims to capacitate 10 community fisheries councils (CCPs) to enable the implementation and local management of 1,088 km2 of climate resilient marine areas that offer a framework for the conservation and restoration of critical, green infrastructure. To ensure gender inclusive, integrated management of terrestrial and marine coastal resources, CCPs will be linked with Community-based Natural Resource Management Committees. In parallel, fisher-farmer communities will be targeted with diversified livelihood opportunities in climate-smart agriculture and value chain enhancements, which will contribute to socio-economic resilience, food security and adaptive capacity, alleviating pressure on coastal ecosystems. Building on project results, project partners plan to integrate coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation approaches further into relevant local, subnational, and national policy, ensuring the political, social and financial sustainability of project outcomes.

In close coordination with Rare’s Vice President for Fish Forever Mozambique, the project  manager will be responsible for the implementation of the Coastal-Lifeline project in accordance with Rare’s overall vision, mission and values and ensure alignment with our global strategic objectives. He/ She will be an inspirational manager to oversee staff, facilitate team building and staff development.   Reporting to Rare Mozambique’s  Director of Program Implementation, the project manager will coordinate closely with Rare teams in Mozambique and central staff in Arlington Virginia, US. Further,  He/She will ensure alignment with project consortium partners as well as relevant stakeholder groups. Through the lens of the Coastal-Lifeline project, the project manager contribute to the Fish Forever program’s scaling goal, achieving national-level adoption of the community managed fishing areas and reserve network approach to coastal fisheries management.

Major duties and responsibilities include:

Project Coordination

• Work closely with field Project Implementation staff, project consortium and government partners, and other Rare’s staff including shared service managers to ensure the smooth execution of the technical activities
• Overall project management and coordination to ensure the timely completion of project-related initiatives to facilitate a smooth and efficient implementation;
• In collaboration with the Program director and central teams, develop and submit project work plans and budgets, and report on project progress against deliverables;
• Ensure strong integration among quality improvement, M&E, Environmental & Social Management Systems (ESMS) and project learning activities;
• Align the implementation approach of the project with the Fish Forever 3.0 strategy; and
• Disseminate best practices and lessons learned among all stakeholders, including the Rare team, local partners and donors.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, partners and donors;
• Represent Rare externally, as needed, to strengthen existing relationships, including attending local coordination mechanisms with similar projects and generate new partnership opportunities;
• Facilitate cooperative relationships between Rare staff and implementing partners, government partners, in-country technical partners, consultants and local communities and Community Fishing Councils (CCPs).

Implementation and Management

• Provide direct overall management, mentoring and coaching to the site-based project implementation staff under his/her supervision
• Encourage and facilitate a collaborative work environment that builds acceptance and commitment through engagement and open dialogue;
• Communicate and solicit input when managing and promoting change and sharing in efforts that involve staff embracing change;
• Maintain and encourage a positive outlook especially during challenging times;
• Supply timely project updates for the country and/ or donor websites and social media;
• Liaise with Program Director and Headquarter staff in Arlington, Virginia, for project reporting in compliance with Rare’s systems procedures and practices.

EbA Policy and Governance Advocacy Support

• Support Rare Mozambique’s Program Director and Vice President in advocating integration of EbA elements into Mozambique climate policy frameworks;
• Engage local partners, co-facilitate capacity building workshops to share experience, lessons and project policy deliverables to stakeholders ;
• Identify and report on policy and governance outputs of relevance for the outcomes.

Education and Experience

This position requires an experienced leader with demonstrated success building and growing an organization with complex programs. A successful candidate will be someone who is a well-rounded general manager with exemplary people, process, and project management skills. S/he will have wide ranging management experience within an international organization, including the oversight, development and growth of an ambitious project.  Fluency (written, reading and speaking) in both English and Portuguese is essential.

Other qualifications include:

• A minimum of 7 years’ senior program/project management experience designing and implementing complex strategies with 4+ years in a staff management and leadership positions (experience in NGO and/or private sector business is highly desirable);

• Extensive experience working in Mozambique coastal and fisheries communities is critical, with exposure to western (e.g. US, Europe or Australian) organizations;

• A background in community-based engagements preferably within the conservation, international development, marine science or fisheries sectors;

• Experience in building and managing professional teams focused on achieving measurable results for people and nature and will be well-versed in global policy initiatives of relevance to Rare’s mission;

• Proven ability to communicate, engage and manage relationships with partners, funders, and his/her own team; the ability to be communicative, directive and persuasive;

• Demonstrated ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers,

• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal and presentation skills, and the ability to effectively communicate across all levels within a culturally diverse organization;

• The ability to operate as an effective tactical and strategic thinker;

• The willingness and ability to travel up to 40% to site locations within Nampula province regularly, and to Maputo and other countries as requested;

• A Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably with additional proven record in senior management/leadership and/or a Masters’ Degree in business management or other related fields;

• Experience in the implementation and monitoring of Environmental and Social Safeguarding standards is a plus;

• Experience in advocacy and policy in a relevant field in Mozambique (e.g. marine conservation and fisheries) is a plus;

• Enthusiasm for Rare’s mission and respect for its core values and culture.

Rare is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply; EOE/M/F/D/V